n. 1 a rushing stream of water, lava, etc. 2 (in pl.) a great downpour of rain (came down in torrents). 3 (usu. foll. by of) a violent or copious flow (uttered a torrent of abuse). torrential adj. torrentially adv.
[ F f. It. torrente f. L torrens -entis scorching, boiling, roaring f. torrere scorch ]